High-ranking diplomats in Brussels state that sanctions against the president of Republika Srpska (RS) Milorad Dodik (SNSD) are unlikely, but that thinking has changed significantly compared to a year ago.
Whereas two years ago sanctions were not even a consideration, now there is more support. The problem for the European Union(EU) is that the Union does not want to sanction countries that are on its path to the EU.
Although it would be about individual sanctions, it would appear to some as sanctions against the state. Of course, such sanctions require the consensus of all EU members. Two years ago it was impossible to think that there would be a consensus, but now it is already possible, as it was found out from diplomatic sources.
However, diplomatic sources state that the European Commission made a decision to stop financing projects in the RS since November last year. This could be seen during the distribution of funds from EU funds. This funding cut will continue.
Any changes to the Criminal Code of the RS, related to thefreedom of the press, are considered catastrophic and absolutely unacceptable. There is dissatisfaction in the EU due to the fact that the Office of the High Representative (OHR) has used the Bonn powers nine times in the past period because it is believed that if it continues to act in this way, the state will not function.
However, the “5+2” principles are a condition for shutting down the OHR, and there is no compromise on that. Some states have increased the budget for OHR, which has not happened for a long time.
The use of blockades is a sign that political leaders do not know how to fight politically, and if blockades are used frequently, they will be labeled as outlaws.
The EU will respond, if invited, to participate in the negotiations on the Electoral Law. They don’t think that the asymmetric election of the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) would be a good solution. There was a fear that BiH would be subject to penalties due to non-implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.
Several different sources have emphasized that there will be absolutely no concessions regarding the EU’s 14 priorities and that they must be met.
To recall, the officials of BiH and the EU will talk today in Brussels. BiH will be represented by the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Borjana Kristo (HDZ), the Minister of Defense Zukan Helez (SDP) and the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Stasa Kosarac (SNSD).
Yesterday, in a statement, Helez pointed out that he will present an overview of the situation in BiH and what the government has done, Klix.ba reports.
E. Dz.
